Saturday, May 23 2009 Backworth 145 all out beat Alnwick 108 all out by 37 runs ALNWICK went down to another defeat at the hands of Backworth on Saturday, losing by 37 runs in a game that with a little more a
pplication was there to be won.
Unavailability of Wasmuth and Graham and injuries sustained by Stewart and Matthewson made the task harder, nevertheless the home side appeared to score more than they should as Alnwick lost the plot somewhat in the field and the batting never got to grips with the excellent bowling of Stubbs.
A total of 145 should have been well within the grasp of Alnwick but they never recovered from the loss of early wickets.
Andrew Stewart won the toss and elected to field, a decision that was vindicated as the home batsmen were pinned down by some good bowling by Bateman and Guy.
Hunter was the first to go, bowled by Guy without scoring followed 24 runs later when Puri was bowled by Bateman.
Wright captured opener Race and the home side were 49 for three after 17 overs.
The score moved to 69 when Scott took a return catch to dismiss Taylor, who had scored a quick 28 including five fours.
Backworth slowly moved the score into three figures when Finchen was run out as Wright diverted a drive from Wilkie onto the stumps catching Finchen backing up too far. Stubbs then quickened the scoring rate. Wilkie was bowled by Guy and the return of Bateman, who captured three late wickets, left Stubbs stranded on 28 not out as the innings ended on 145.
Any thoughts that getting the required runs would be easy were quickly dispelled as Stubbs appeared to cause the early batsmen untold problems but it was youngster Black who had the early success when he had Brewis caught at the wicket.
A mix-up between Green and Scott resulted in the former being run out.
Scott, who had batted sensibly, became the first victim of Stubbs when he was bowled for 16. Hammond and Wright eased the situation with a stand of 24 before Wright was caught at the wicket.
The departure of Hammond at 56 heralded a mini-collapse as Guy, Stewart and R Woods all fell for the addition of only nine runs.
Chris Woods joined the injured Matthewson and together they slowly took the total to 100 before Woods edged Saini to the wicket keeper.
